Puri

Shopping Delights

This is a treasure chest of traditional arts available at the local colourful markets of Puri. Especially popular are artifacts made of soapstone, seashells and softwood. The region is especially popular for its fabrics and saris, woven in the traditional ikkat-style. Also check out the exquisite Passapali and Bomkai saris. Worth visiting is the Orissa Handicraft Emporium, which houses a fabulous collection of Ikkat and gold-embroidered saris. Another popular buy are the palm leaf paintings known as Pattachitra, which are paintings depicting mythological characters, Lord Krishna and Lord Jagannath. You can get also get your hands on a broad array of bead and bamboo works, masks and metal crafts. The Ananda Bazaar in the temple complex has a good display of arts and crafts especially religious items like conch shells and holy beads. Check out some of the local shops near the sea and areas like Swarga Dwar and Grand Centre - they offer a variety of decorative items like lampshades, mirrors and seashell ashtrays. Located near Puri, the village of Pipli is particularly famous for its appliqué work done on cushions, bedcovers, lampshades, handbags, wall hangings and umbrellas. Coloured motifs of flowers and animals adorned with mirrors and tiny shells are particularly noteworthy.